Ancient Artifax

Welcome to the Pacific Rim and Oceanic Gallery. Offered here are ancient and antique tribal and ethnographic artifacts. This gallery will be regularly updated so check back often. Please ask if you would like additional photos or more in-depth descriptions Enjoy your treasure hunt...

NOTE: International sales are welcome but require payment via PayPal. All items shipped outside of the United States must be fully insured, no exceptions. All shipping costs, insurance and import fees are the responsibility of the buyer.

Konyak Nag Chest Ornament Mask with Beads

Konyak Naga Headhunter's Pendant — Assam

Early to Mid-20th Century

A rare Konyak Naga headhunter's chest ornament from Assam in Northeastern India. These carved wooden maskettes were only worn by the tribe's male head-takers. A fine older example with a nice patina, signs of age and tribal use. This maskette has a well carved face with multiple strands of colored beads. The beads are in gold and a vibrant indigo blue. Condition is near choice. The wood has darkened with age and has a few scrapes, one stable age crack and a small area of insect damage. The beads appear to be in perfect condition. An exceptional example that displays beautifully on a custom metal stand which is included as shown.

Maskettes such as this were later and are currently being produced in brass. Many newer examples were and are now being made for sale to the tourist market.

For additional informantion on pendants of this type see "The Nagas"(1990) by Julian Jacobs (pp.191-197)

Mask is approx 3" tall. Approx 9.5" tall including the beads.

$450

Papua New Guinea (PNG) Drums — New Guinea

Early to Mid-20th Century

Two hand-held drums from Papua New Guinea. Both are hollow-bodied and carved from wood.

Drum 1 (left) - A very large example which comes from the Lake Sentani area, north coast New Guinea (the Papua side) near Humboldt Bay. The drumhead is intact and appears to be tanned bird skin showing remnants of feathers overall. The drumhead is lashed tightly to the drum with natural fibers. In near excellent condition. Some abrasions to the wood, otherwise choice. A nice example and much larger than most. 23.5" tall - SOLD

Drum 2 (right) - A typical medium-sized drum. The original lizard-skin drum head is intact. A black (rubber) band secures the drumhead; a replacement for the natural woven fiber band that would have originally held the skin in place. A decorative fiber band near the bottom is intact and appears original. Condition is very good. There is one small hole in the drum head, near the edge. Age cracks around the bottom of the drum have been stabilized with glue. Overall a fine example. Custom metal display stand is included. Drum is approx. 13" tall, with stand approx. 14.5" tall

Large drum has been sold - Small drum is available at $125

Alligator Canoe Prow — Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

Mid 20th Century

Carved wood canoe prow in the form of an alligator. Dates to the mid-20th Century, possibly earlier. Well carved; showing teeth and large eyes. Alligators are a common theme on the canoe prows among the tribes along the Sepik river. Shows considerable wear and abrasions from extensive tribal use. A nice example that displays well on a custom metal stand which is included as shown.

Approx 13" long. Approx 7" tall on the stand

SOLD

Papua New Guinea Ramu River Ancestoral Figure

Ramu River Ancestoral Figure — Papua New Guinea

20th Century

Wokam Village Ancestoral Figure from the Ramu River area of Papua New Guinea. Likely dating to the third quarter of the 20th Century. Nicely carved wooden standing figure done in a style typical of this region. In tribal mythology, these enlongated figures with the hooked noses are thought to represent important ancestors - half human, half sea-eagle. Condition is near choice. Minor scrapes, but completely intact. A fine example.

Custom metal display stand is included as shown.

Approx 10" tall on the stand

$150

Papua New Guinea Woven BOdy Armor Cuirasses

Woven Curiasses — Papua New Guinea

Early 20th Century

A woven fiber cuirasses (body armor vest) from the high Central Mountain Range, between Telefomin and the Oksapmin area of Papua New Guinea. Intricately woven from natural plant fibers. The main body is woven from cane or reeds with the areas around the arm openings more finely woven, most likley, from coconut fibers. An extremely rare and very old artifact that dates to the late 19th Century to the early 20th Century. Tightly woven, but light weight, these garments served as protection during battle with neighboring tribes. Body armor such as this was later replaced by hand-held shields. Condition is very good. Minor fraying in a few places, but generally intact and near choice. An exceptional artifact. Rarely seen outside of select museums.

Custom metal display stand is included as shown.

Approx. 16" tall x 13" wide.

Approx 19" tall on the stand

$800

Papua New Guinea Ramu River Ancestral Figure

Ramu Figure — Papua New Guinea

Mid to Late 20th Century

Ramu River ancestral figure from the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea dating to the third or forth quarter of the 20th Century. The nicely carved wooden figure is shown with hands resting on the knees and wears an avian spirit mask. Condition is near excellent. Minor chips and surface wear consistent with age. A fine example.

Approx. 6.5" tall x 3"

$175

Yaul Healing Figure — Papua New Guinea

Mid to Late 20th Century

Large PNG pottery figure dating to the latter half of the 20th Century. Made by the Yaul people who live along the Yuat River in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea. Constructed from red clay with a gray surface color. The male figure sits on a stool; large hands resting on his knees. Incising on the face and arms represent ritual body scarification. Known as healing figures, they are used by the village shaman in ceremonies intended to help the sick or spiritually distressed. Condition is very good. Minor breaks and small losses have been restored, else intact. A very rare and interesting artifact that displays nicely.

Approx. 10.5" tall x 6" across

$350

Sepik River Stool — Papua New Guinea

Early to Mid-20th Century

A large wooden stool from the Sepik River area of Papua New Guinea. Definitely pre-1950s, possibly dating to the early 20th Century. Stone-carved from a single piece of wood, it shows designs and patterns typical for that region and time period. Some traces of original orange pigment remain in the more deeply carved crevices under the seat. The seat is worn smooth from many years, possibly decades, of indigenous use. Stools of this type were only used by high-ranking tribal officials; most likely an orator or someone affiliated with the village council. Condition is quite good, considering its age and obvious signs of long-term tribal use. Areas of insect and moisture damage, mainly on the base. An exceptional and very rare older example of Sepik River craftsmanship. Items from this period are getting increasingly difficult to come by.

Approx. 16" tall x 14" across the seat.

$500

Sawos Pottery Bowls — Papua New Guinea

20th Century

Three polychrome bowls from the Sawos people in East Sepik Province, dating to the third quarter of the 20th Century. Each highly decorated utilitarian bowl is made by women who construct them by coiling method. Men decorate the bowls by incising curvilinear and arciform designs mirrored on two or more sides of the bowls; outstanding motifs mimic nature or are representative of spirits. After the women low fire the bowls, the men heavily apply natural mineral pigments in shades of red, yellow, orange and white. The bowls, despite their elaborateness, are used for everyday eating and when not in use they are stored with their openings towards the ground to ensure visibility of their beautiful designs. Sawos bowls are found throughout the middle Sepik river region because they are traded to neighboring villages for fish, tobacco and other goods.
Custom metal display stands are included.

Bowl #1 (Top) - Small area of restoration along the rim, otherwise intact. Approx. 13.5" in diameter, with stand approx. 15.5" tall
$400

Bowl #2 (Center) - Intact. Approx. 12" in diameter, with stand approx. 15" tall
$350

Bowl #3 (Bottom) - Intact. Approx. 10.5" in diameter, with stand approx. 12" tall
$300

PNG Staff — New Guinea

20th Century

Wooden ceremonial staff from Papua New Guinea. Nicely carved in the form of a crocodile. Rich patina that shows wear consistent with age and tribal use. Likely dating to the latter half of the 20th Century. Condition is generally very good. One small chip on the nose and an age crack on the tail, otherwise choice.

Approx. 17" long

SOLD

PNG Pottery Collection — New Guinea

Mid-20th Century

A rare collection of pottery vessels from Papua New Guinea. Originally collected around 1960 from the (Latmul speaking) village of Aibom, which sits inland off the middle Sepik River in the Chambri Lakes region. Nicely sculpted in the traditional style, each are "janus" type, with similar designs on each side. All are basket-form with birds adorning each side of the handles. In very good condition. All have a few glued breaks as well as minor chips and dings. Generally near choice with strong paint. They show no sign of tribal use and are most likely early tourist pieces. Still a great collection of mid-century PNG pottery pieces. Damage could easily be restored, but display beautifully in their current condition. Not for sale individually. These were all acquired together and I prefer to keep the collection intact.

Heights range from 7" to 4.5" tall

$300 for the group

Carved Slit Drum — New Guinea

Mid-20th Century

An older, authentic wooden New Guinea slit drum, nicely carved on both sides with traditional tribal designs. With bird heads on each end, the entire drum is carved from a single piece of wood. Created for the "Cultural Arts Expo" held in Austraila in 1960. Although tribally carved and played, this drum was never exposed to the harsh climate of New Guinea and is therefore in excellent condition. A beautiful example for its age. The handmade drum sticks are not original to the piece, but are a nice addition for making the drum playable. No cracks or breaks, only slight wear along the edges from use. Displays well and sounds great.

Approx. 15" long x 6" tall

$195

Gold Butuan Death Mask — Philippines

1100-1500 AD

Exceptionally rare death mask. Made of high-karat hammered gold appliques. Used to cover parts of the face of the deceased in the Butuan culture of the Philippines. Three pieces for the eyes and mouth and a longer piece for the hairline. Each is fringe cut to represent hair and teeth. A few tiny tears, otherwise excellent condition. Custom mounted in a gold-tone shadowbox frame. Ex. Arte Primitivo

7" x 11" overall frame size

SOLD

Pacific Rim, Oceanic and Other Tribal Artifacts